Composer Jeanine Tesori is a two time Tony Award winner, a two time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and in 2024, she became the first woman composer to open the Metropolitan Opera Opera season in its 139 year history. On this edition of CMHH she tells Manny about her time living in a lighthouse, about her love of Stravinsky, and why she decided not to be a doctor.

Our theme song is Schumann’s Arabeske in C Major, Op. 18 performed by our host, Emanuel Ax.

3 Movements from Petrushka: No. 1, Danse russe
Stravinsky
Antonii Baryshevskyi, piano
Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc.

Carmen, Habanera
Bizet
Graciela Alperyn, mezzo-soprano
Slovak Philharmonic Chorus
Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Alexander Rahbari, conductor
Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc.

Turandot, SC 91: Nessun dorma (Live)
Puccini
Mario Malagnini
Genoa Carlo Felice Theatre Orchestra & Donato Renzetti
Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc.

Carmen: Act I: Habañera: L'amour est un oiseau rebelle
Bizet
Marjana Lipovšek, mezzo-soprano
Munich Radio Orchestra
Giuseppe Patanè, conductor
Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc.

Boléro, M. 81
Ravel
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Adrian Leaper
Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc.

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Credits

Classical Music Happy Hour is supported in part by the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation and by Linda Nelson.

Our production team includes Lauren Purcell-Joiner, Eileen Delahunty, Laura Boyman, Elizabeth Nonamaker, David Norville, Christine Herskovits, and Ed Yim.

Our engineering team includes George Wellington, Irene Trudel, and Chase Culpon.

Classical Music Happy Hour is produced by WQXR in partnership with Carnegie Hall.

Jeanine Tesori - from “Fun Home” to the Met Opera